ไทย
English
中國人
Wrexham have genuine cause for frustration with the schedule they've been handed ahead of the new Championship campaign.
Phil Parkinson's men kick off on the road against Welsh counterparts Cardiff City before welcoming Watford and Birmingham City in their opening two home games. September brings little relief, with fixtures against Millwall, Swansea City, Burnley, West Ham United, and Southampton crammed into a grueling run of matches.
The task confronting the Red Dragons is unmistakable: another slow start simply cannot happen.
Wrexham's Opening Fixtures
Date/Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
17 August—3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST | Cardiff City vs. Wrexham |
22 August—10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST | Wrexham vs. Watford |
29 August—10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST | Wrexham vs. Birmingham City |
2 September—2:45 p.m. ET / 7:45 p.m. BST | Millwall vs. Wrexham |
5 September—10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST | Swansea City vs. Wrexham |
9 September—2:45 p.m. ET / 7:45 p.m. BST | Wrexham vs. Burnley |
12 September—10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST | West Ham United vs. Wrexham |
19 September—10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST | Wrexham vs. Southampton |
One of the primary reasons Wrexham narrowly fell short of promotion last season was their labored beginning to life back in the Championship. They went without a win in their opening three outings and didn't claim a home victory until late October. Given they ended up just two points adrift of Hull City, who went on to win the playoffs, those early stumbles proved decisive.
That bitter lesson should weigh heavily this summer. While Wrexham enter the new campaign from a considerably stronger footing than a year ago, they cannot afford to repeat the recruitment approach that contributed to their sluggish opening.
There is no question the club made meaningful strides during its first season back in the second tier. Wrexham finished seventh—the highest league placing in the club's 162-year history—and built a solid platform for another promotion challenge. A total of 13 new signings arrived as part of a $45 million summer investment, with three further additions made in January.
The sweeping recruitment effort was essential. Wrexham needed to fast-track their growth and close the gap on the Championship's more established sides. It delivered results, and there is a compelling case that only a select few quality signings are now needed rather than another wholesale rebuild.
That context explains why Parkinson remains unfazed despite the club's subdued start to transfer activity.
"There's not a great deal we're getting close with at the moment, but I'm not concerned about that," Parkinson told The Leader. "We're obviously in talks with a lot of clubs and a lot of players, and there's a lot going on, but there's nothing close to being finalized at the moment.
"It's making sure we weigh up the options and bring in players better than what we have got. You look at certain players in a particular position and then something else might happen. We are just waiting, and we will make the additions which we feel will help us."
His measured approach is easy to understand. Wrexham are no longer starting from the ground up. The foundation of a playoff-contending squad is already assembled, and the club has until September 1 to wrap up its transfer dealings.
Yet there remains a risk in growing too complacent.